Choose where a formula applies

A formula’s scope determines where it is used. Choose the broadest scope that matches the business rule.

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Default formula

A default formula is the fallback calculation for a property. Use it when the same business rule should apply across the model. Example: Gross Profit is Revenue minus Cost of Goods Sold everywhere.

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Segmentation formula

A segmentation formula applies when the property is calculated using a particular dimension. Example: calculate an allocation differently whenever Expense is broken down by Department. A segmentation formula is about the grouping itself. It is not limited to one Department value.

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Segment formula

A segment formula applies to a specific dimension value or combination of values. Examples:

• Department = Sales
• Region = West
• Department = Sales and Region = West

Use segment formulas for true exceptions. If every department needs the same expression, use a segmentation formula instead of creating one formula per department.

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Formula period

A formula can also be limited to a Formula period such as Actuals or Forecast. Formula periods use the Date dimension, so the formula must be scoped by Date.

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Combining scopes

Scopes can be combined. For example, a formula can apply only to Sales during Forecast. The more specific formula is used where its full scope matches. Broader formulas remain available as fallbacks elsewhere.